Hatfield Forest
- Are you ready for summer?
- Red poll cattle
- The Decoy Lake shows up much more clearly in this view from a drone
- A group of four fallow deer in a forest glade
- Visit the Shell House, decorated in the 1750's by 17 year old Laetitia Houblon
- heading up a creek?
- In summer, the northern end of the Decoy Lake becomes covered in lilies
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![Boys with their dad sitting on a tree stump next to the lake]()
Are you ready for summer? -
![Red poll cattle grazing on the main plain at Hatfield Forest, Essex]()
Red poll cattle -
![Aerial view from drone showing corner of lake and Decoy Lake]()
The Decoy Lake shows up much more clearly in this view from a drone -
![A group of four fallow deer in a forest glade]()
A group of four fallow deer in a forest glade -
![The Shell House near the Lake at Hatfield Forest, Essex.]()
Visit the Shell House, decorated in the 1750's by 17 year old Laetitia Houblon -
![rowing boat on the lake at Hatfield Forest]()
heading up a creek? -
![The Decoy Lake in spring, as the lilies start to develop]()
In summer, the northern end of the Decoy Lake becomes covered in lilies
Ancient royal hunting forest
Capability Brown at Hatfield Forest
This summer we will be celebrating the 300th anniversary of the birth of Capability Brown, one of the country's leading landscape designers, raising awareness of one of his smaller schemes.
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![Family group climbing on tree trunk]()
Fun for Families at Hatfield Forest
Visit with your family and enjoy a range of outdoor activities, whether it be just letting off steam running around under the trees, building a den or exploring the further reaches of the Forest on foot or by bike
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![Visitors in a rowing boat]()
Activities for all at Hatfield Forest
The Forest trails are ideal for walking, running or riding. Try the lake for boating or fishing.
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![Couple walking a dog on woodland path]()
Doggie do's and don'ts at Hatfield Forest
Hatfield Forest is a perfect place for walking your dog, with miles of paths to explore, trees to sniff and grass to roll about in.
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![Extract from 1757 plan with inset of Capability Brown]()
Hatfield Forest and Capability Brown
2016 is the 300th anniversary of the birth of Lancelot "Capability" Brown, one of the greatest English landscape designers. We have recently uncovered exciting evidence that he prepared a small scheme for altering the lake and lakeside area at Hatfield Forest.
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![View showing ditched enclosure at Portingbury Hills]()
A brief history
Find out more about the rich and varied history of Hatfield Forest. The Roman were here, and in World War II, the trees camouflaged ammunition dumps. Much happened in between.
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![Hunting scene from Livre de Chasse]()
A medieval Forest
Hatfield Forest was designated a Forest (with a captial "F") by Henry I in about 1100. Fallow deer were introduced to improve the hunting.
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![View of the Shell House at Hatfield Forest, across the corner of the lake]()
Any one for tea?
From about 1750, the Houblon family would travel out to the central area of the Forest, to enjoy picnics in the Shell House and go dancing on the lawn outside.
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![Title page showing composite coat of arms and entry from 1 Apr 1893]()
The Shell House Visitors Book
The Prince of Wales visited the Shell House in 1893, with his mistress, Daisy Greville Brooke (later Countess of Warwick).
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![An]()
A most generous gift
Just over 90 years ago, the Forest was saved from being harvested for timber by a wonderful act of generosity by one of the earliest conservationists.
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![Hunting scene from Livre de Chasse]()
Forest History Trail
Find out more about the interesting and varied history of Hatfield Forest stretching back over two thousand years.
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![Forest Lodge in Hatfield Forest, Essex]()
Forest Buildings and Sites
The Forest contains a number of buildings and sites of historic interest.
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Forest Families
Several families were associated with the Forest over the last six hundred years, since the last period of Royal ownership.
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![Picture of Takeley Station how it was in the 1950's]()
Did you Know
Find out more about some of the things you may have seen whlist exploring the Forest
